You know that you need a housekeeper! But what’s the ideal way to hire and keep the best housekeeper you can find? We all know that having a housekeeper can be sanity and marriage saving. Thus, read our tried and tested tips and tactics to hiring and keeping a great housekeeper.
>> Looking for a housekeeper? Find one in your area now.
1. Getting Started
Begin the hiring process by posting a job on Care.com. Be sure to include all of the responsibilities that the cleaner will be expected to perform. Writing them down will also help you to get a clearer idea of how much time this may take, so how many hours you will need to employ the candidate for–and make this realistic.
2. Create a Shortlist
When you have started to receive responses to your job, begin the shortlisting process by sending follow-up notes to the most suitable candidates asking about availability for an interview either via phone or in person. Don’t forget to send a polite but swift “no thank you” to the candidates you are not interested in.
3. Interview Candidates
After an initial phone conversation to establish that you are aligned on pay and conditions, you should always interview your favoured housekeeping candidates in person. Relevant questions include how long they have been with former employers, their approach to house cleaning, do they bring their own equipment and any relevant experience they have in additional areas, such as laundry or pet care. Ask them to bring their ID, references and any other checks such as DBS at this point. The Care.com safety centre can help you with guidance on hiring safely.
4. Payment Procedures
The best candidates will want the best pay and conditions. When you are ready to offer the job, ensure that you are choosing a fair rate for your neighbourhood by checking via our housekeeper pay calculator. Also show your housekeeper you mean business by offering to pay via direct debit with holidays and sick pay agreed in advance. Most housekeepers will be self-employed, but check their status in case you need to calculate tax and National Insurance payments as well.
5. Trial Period
Suggest to your favourite candidates that they commit to a trial period. This can be either on a time basis, or as a one-off-cleaning. If you are both happy with the working relationship, then commit to regular hours and days. Don’t forget that good cleaners are always in demand!
6. Praise
Everyone likes a job well done, and providing praise and feedback when things are done well keeps everyone motivated. When your housekeeper has been with you for long enough, don’t forget the occasional bonus and gift for birthdays, Easter and Christmas.
>> Looking for a housekeeper? Find one in your area now.
